What to Wear for the Holidays

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You’ve got great plans for those holiday get-togethers, casual or upscale, but what to wear? Try some of these easy ideas. I like to scan through my Pinterest board to get ideas before getting out my suitcase. I always try to plan based on: how much I’ll have to stand (shoes), whether I’ll have to take my shoes off (will it look good without my shoes?) and how comfy the waistline is (lots of yummy food).

What will you be wearing this holiday season?

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Maripier Morin always looks amazing. For the holidays (via Louloumagazine.com), try a statement skirt with a casual denim or chambray button up.

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Maripier Morin has been featured with a daily ‘look’ on Loulou magazine’s website. This stunner is a definite wow for more formal festive events. 278b9b7e6a95c8c677b125af541257de.jpg

I’d recreate this look (also from Loulou), by pairing a black skirt with a sleeveless black tunic with a bow detail at the neckline. Layering it over a turtleneck will help create more coverage and make it look more wintery.

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Catching the trend? Embellished skirt and unobtrusive top. Perfect together. Check out the link at the bottom of the page for details. 2c18be7de74cb9ad16a62e657632600f.jpg

A sweet top, jeans and a textured, delicate top. Nude heels, yes. Skip the cheesy clutch (it looks too much like a makeup bag), but otherwise, it’s a go. See more here. a8f5bef3a3fef692aaaa801fef334224.jpg

Here Liz Trinnear (a Canadian host), is featured on Loulou magazine (yet again) in a turtle neck layered under a tunic, which I’m loving these days. Gimme some leggings and tall boots and I’ve got a whole look picked out. 6733afdf67d43519bc19d9f702e5c88a.jpg

The following few looks can all be found at Loulou magazine in the ‘last minute outfit ideas’ section. Here: A pleated midi skirt, striped turtle neck and one strap flats. I’ll skip the penguin bag (a little too much for me), but keep the rest. bf37eddb0fbd4dc877bd4972b8ffe21c.jpg

Pom pom shoes (I don’t own these… yet), with a simple dress, rings-rings-rings (five golden ones, perhaps?) and tassel earrings. Thanks, Loulou magazine!

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Loulou magazine suggests: knee-high boots, a pencil skirt, cropped blouse, earring jackets and a great necklace. Definitely coming to my holiday party.

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From babble.com, this is a perfect casual look (with comfy boots, tights and a cardigan) for relaxing with the family, or running errands.

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The stylish mama behind Cocomamastyle put this look together. Swap in some ballet flats instead of the sandals, floppy felt hat instead of the straw one, and you’d be set for a winter soiree – with a cropped blazer or a sweet sweater.

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Lastly, this sparkly blazer can amp up any simple black dress. If sparkle is on the menu; may I suggest this great pairing Found on lovely-pepa.com

*All photo credits and links can be found here. Featured image Found on lovely-pepa.com

Have a glowing, beautiful holiday!

Wrap It

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Photo credit: Found on whowhatwear.com

Yes, to the following: the black turtleneck my wife makes fun of, which I secretly love; a pair of ankle boots; boyfriend jeans, sans boyfriend; a leather tote, totally; a wrap, poncho or long vest; earrings that are a bit fancier than the rest of the outfit. This is tomorrow’s inspiration.

Not So Clueless

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Not So Clueless

Plaid isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of going out on the town, but an unexpected pairing of plaid, and a cutout crop? Perfect. Plus, it calls to mind my favourite nineties film character, Cher, from Clueless. Throw on a black leather jacket and you’re good to go.

Tradesies

DIY, style

i love free shit. Samples. Love em. Gifts.  Loooove them. Surprises.  Love them, too. 

I have always expected to pay my own way, knowing even before I knew that I’d marry a woman that marrying anyone who’d ‘take care of me’ wasn’t my style. 

But I’m a frugal girl. Raised my a discerning father who taught me to save. So, when I first discovered clothing swaps I was in heaven. 

I’ve since attended and hosted many a swap. People often ask how I seem to have an endless wardrobe… Part of the trick is creativity and being willing to look in unusual places… Like the bin (yes, a literal bin) FULL of gorgeous, gently used clothes from a colleague’s friend. Can you really get something for nothing? Yes. Here is what good vibes and social-Eco consciousness can get you: 

   
Even if I just wear this blinked out halter once ( Hellooo bachelorette party) before passing it on, it can be a ton of fun to wear something unexpected that you’d never pick out yourself. 

   
    
    
I love a retro bow blouse with a chain pattern  and the peplum top below is a classic. 

    
 This pink skirt goes with so many things in my closet and although it will require some opaque black tights to make it more wearable – I just happen to have some.   
Truly excited about my new finds! Especially the numerous Victoria’s Secret bras (not pictured here)! 

When something in your closet no longer rings your bell, ring some friends and set up a swap. No snobs allowed. 

Xo Al 

Scarf Prints and a Statement Piece

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Scarf Prints & Statement Piece

Throw on a blanket coat of leather jacket to make this perfect for fall. 

Adrianna Papell shirt dress
120 CAD – houseoffraser.co.uk

Missguided long sleeve dress
32 CAD – missguidedus.com

Missguided red dress
27 CAD – missguidedus.com

Uttam Boutique shift dress
48 CAD – houseoffraser.co.uk

Angie navy dress
30 CAD – tillys.com

Rosantica necklace
875 CAD – bysymphony.com

DANNIJO necklace
725 CAD – anthropologie.com

Jaclyn Mayer necklace
435 CAD – anthropologie.com

Isabel Marant wood bracelet
165 CAD – theoutnet.com

Isabel Marant wooden jewelry
165 CAD – theoutnet.com

ELK Lighting layered necklace
155 CAD – anthropologie.com

Bib necklace
90 CAD – anthropologie.com

Bib necklace
90 CAD – anthropologie.com

Bib necklace
90 CAD – anthropologie.com

Sole Society red jewelry
46 CAD – solesociety.com

Hair show 

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Many moons ago I spent lots of time sitting in my friends’ salon chairs, letting every manner of cool and crazy thing happen to my mop.

See the end of this post for photo evidence.

Today I was in the fabulous Stacey Staley’s capable hands. Owner of Blonde Salon, she has made her way up in the world of hair thanks to her serious talent and hard work.

Her staff were doing training and I was lucky enough to get some TLC for my own hair: highly processed ends and two years of grow out.

Here is the journey!


Before.   And next: Our inspiration cut is Dakota Johnson.


Midway, once a gloss was put on the entire length to create a dark base.

Then comes the balayage. Scroll down for pictures of the super suped-up bob, with great blunt edges and glossy colour. The balayage technique made the texture look really amazing; subtle but high definition and anything but flat.

So, all in all, I just adored my experience at Blonde Salon. The environment is clean and modern. The staff are friendly and constantly updating their techniques and training. I was lucky enough to be in on a day when they were working on Balayage – just one of the ways that they invest in professional development to make sure they bring the best methods and products to their clients.

They really listened to what I wanted (in terms of low maintenance and not wanting visible re growth) and the colour I got is just stunning. They paid attention to my skin tone and eye colour – with absolutely gorgeous results. Definitely a five stars out of five.

Last but not least, on my way to my dance rehearsal, post salon, I popped in to Lavish and Squalor- a great clothing and lifestyle store – and the first thing the staff said was ” your hair is goooorgeous!!” And I promptly told them where they could get some.

As for the flashback: when you trust someone to do this… You know you are in capable hands


This hair was the love child of Stacey and anothe fab stylist, Derek at Studio 237.

Check out Blonde online, or visit them at 82 Power Street in Toronto.

And if you’re in their neck of the woods, visit Studio 237 in Belleville.

Bocce and Pizza Al Fresco

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Bocce and Pizza Al Fresco

Dolce Gabbana mid calf dress
3,260 CAD – dolcegabbana.com

Thomaspaul waterproof purse
21 CAD – shopthomaspaul.com

Beaded jewelry
20 CAD – tenthousandvillages.ca

Tiffany & Co. 18k gold earrings
2,745 CAD – 1stdibs.com

Gucci lipstick
51 CAD – gucci.com